August 28th, 2025 - Two Weeks After Trump Talks, Russia Bombards Kyiv, Leaving at Least 18 Dead

An hours-long barrage of Russian missiles and drones killed at least 18 people in Kyiv on Thursday, including four children. The assault, which occurred less than two weeks after President Trump’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, underscored how little the recent diplomatic flurry has changed Russia’s determination to continue its military campaign in Ukraine. The attack was the largest on Kyiv since the Alaska meeting, highlighting the stark gap between diplomacy and ongoing violence.

The attack caused widespread damage in the capital, including the destruction of a five-story apartment building. According to Ukrainian authorities, at least 45 people were injured, and several other buildings, including a shopping mall, European Union mission facilities, and the British Council’s offices, were hit. The Ukrainian military reported that it successfully intercepted 563 drones and 26 missiles, but the damage was still extensive, and the death toll continues to rise.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack, calling it Russia’s response to recent peace efforts. “Russia chooses ballistics instead of the negotiating table,” he wrote on social media, accusing Russia of choosing to kill rather than end the war. Russian officials, however, maintained that their military operations would continue, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitri S. Peskov stating that the special military operation was ongoing and emphasizing Russia’s desire to keep the negotiation process open.

This escalation of violence came shortly after Trump’s summit in Alaska, where diplomatic discussions focused on a potential peace settlement for Ukraine. Despite previous talks of a ceasefire and an agreement for Ukraine to relinquish some territorial control, no substantial progress has been made. Trump had initially called for a ceasefire before any peace talks, but under Putin’s pressure, he reversed this stance, leading to continued fighting and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities.

The Russian bombardment has made clear that diplomacy has had little immediate effect on the situation in Ukraine. On the ground, daily life in Kyiv continues to be disrupted by airstrikes, with emergency workers tirelessly digging through rubble to rescue survivors. In the aftermath of the latest strike, residents huddled in shelters, trying to stay safe from the continuing barrage. With at least 500 emergency responders on the scene, some residents found temporary refuge in subway stations, trying to shield themselves from further attacks.

As the war continues, the international community remains divided on how to best address the situation. European officials condemned Russia’s actions, and Ukraine’s foreign minister denounced the strikes on EU facilities as a violation of international law. Meanwhile, Trump’s frustration with the ongoing violence and his failure to impose new economic penalties on Russia have raised concerns about the effectiveness of his diplomatic approach. The attacks in Kyiv are yet another reminder of the widening gap between peace talks and the reality of war in Ukraine.

Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster) - Diminution (noun, dim-uh-NOO-shun) - Diminution is a formal word that refers to the act or process of becoming less.

Example: The company is committed to seeing that efforts to scale up production do not result in a diminution of quality.